The Construction Corner

Dillon covers three topics in one: how to build real training systems for your crew, what a day in the life actually looks like running an engineering firm, and how the real world stacks up against what you learned in school. He breaks down why contractors need documented processes for even the most basic tasks — from checking in at a job site to making coffee — and how AI can help you build those systems fast. Then he pulls back the curtain on his own chaotic schedule of back-to-back calls, red-eye flights, and weekend project reviews, before laying out what he expects from interns and new hires: meet your deadlines, do good work, and enjoy the ride. A candid look at what it really takes to build a high-performing team in the construction and engineering world.

Dillon makes the case for why showing up in person is still one of the most powerful things you can do in business. In a world of Zoom calls and virtual meetings, he shares how consistent travel — from quick 24-hour turns to cross-country client dinners — has become Vertical Design Services' biggest competitive edge. He also talks about the unique advantage of running a remote-friendly firm from the mountains of California, and why getting on a plane when others won't is what separates good partners from great ones.

Dillon breaks down the design-build delivery method and why it beats traditional plan-and-spec contracting. From cutting months off the submittal process to building high-trust relationships between engineers and contractors, he walks through how integrated teams move faster, fight less, and deliver better outcomes — and why design-build is the foundation of everything Vertical Design Services does.

Dillon breaks down why California's housing crisis is so hard to fix — from CEQA environmental red tape to landlord laws that drive away investment. He draws on history to make the case for company-built housing, explores how anchor tenants revive struggling communities, and shares his vision for using business growth to invest back into the people and places around him.

After losing power for nearly a week following a massive snowstorm — complete with exploding trees, a fallen line ripped from a neighbor's weatherhead, and Caltrans traffic control on a state highway — host Dillon digs into one of the most debated topics in utility infrastructure: should power lines go underground? He breaks down the real costs involved (think $3–5 million per mile today), the tradeoffs between above-ground and underground systems, and why neither option is a clear winner. From PG&E's proactive undergrounding efforts in fire-prone California to the buried utility nightmares of cities like New York and San Francisco, Dillon gives a grounded, no-BS engineering perspective on why the answer almost always comes down to one thing: who's going to pay for it — and nobody ever wants to.

In this episode of Construction Corner, host Dillon makes the case that blue collar businesses — contractors, engineers, electricians, and tradespeople — are the real backbone of community giving. From sponsoring youth soccer teams and buying 4H animals at the county fair, to volunteering on chamber boards and national association committees, Dillon shares how he thinks about charity and community service as a business owner. He opens up about his own commitments — serving on the local chamber board, sponsoring sports teams without having kids of his own, and staying plugged into the community despite a packed schedule — and explains why even small donations like $200 for jerseys can make a massive difference to organizations running on fumes. Whether it's writing a check, coaching a team, or giving two hours a month to a board, Dillon encourages every business owner to find their version of giving back — not for the ROI, but because it's the right thing to do.

In this episode of Construction Corner, host Dillon gets candid about the challenges that come with rapid business growth — and how he's been forced to ruthlessly audit his time. As Vertical Design Services takes on more projects and clients than ever, Dillon shares how he's reevaluating speaking engagements, conference appearances, career fairs, and community commitments to protect his focus on what matters most: engineering, proposals, and delivering for clients. He reflects on the unique advantage of staying connected across the industry — talking to contractors, apprentices, and students nationwide — and why most engineering firms miss out by staying siloed. Whether you're swamped with work or still building your pipeline, this episode is a reminder to pick the activities that are both productive and fulfilling, delegate everything else, and audit your calendar before it runs you.

In this episode of Construction Corner, host Dillon breaks down the massive workforce shifts happening across America — from the $600 billion data center construction boom driven by the big hyperscalers, to how AI is simultaneously eliminating jobs at large corporations while creating new ones at smaller companies. He covers the growing apprenticeship-to-foreman ratio gap threatening job site productivity, why modern tools are opening the trades to a broader workforce, and how implementing simple checklists and Elon Musk's 5-step process optimization framework can help construction firms train, retain, and scale their teams in today's high-demand environment.

In this episode, Dillon breaks down the major shift in electrical safety standards — NFPA 70B is now an enforceable standard, and it affects every facility owner, contractor, and insurance holder. He covers what arc flash studies are, why you need to keep them up to date, and how a proactive electrical maintenance program can save you significant time and money. Plus, he shares practical tips on infrared viewing windows, breaker testing, and how to maintain your arc flash study on an ongoing basis rather than starting from scratch every five years.

This episode is about using ultra-distance hiking and trail running as team-building experiences, sharing stories from 100-mile races, and planning intern training hikes in California mountain ranges. The conversation covers the mental challenges of extreme endurance, sleep-walking through races, and how these unique experiences create unforgettable learning moments that can't be replicated in a classroom or office.